2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length of 11.4 inches compared to the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, offered a third row of seats and more second-row legroom. The wheelbase stretched five inches, providing wider rear doors. The additional mass and extended rear blended seamlessly into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. Jeep's decision to introduce the L first as a 2021 model, followed by the two-row version almost a year later, contributed to this perception. The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's recognizable design elements, such as the seven-slot rectangular grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing the lighting and improving the paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, with new exterior paint colors added for 2022.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee L exuded luxury, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The layout and materials felt premium, reminiscent of a Mercedes, despite not sharing any parts. The attention to detail and contrast in the interior design ensured passenger comfort and visual appeal. The lighter tan leather option required extra care to maintain its pristine condition, emphasizing the vehicle's luxurious nature.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer resembled a smaller version of the Chevrolet Blazer midsize crossover, striking a balance between SUV toughness and upscale appearance. The intricate headlight and taillight elements, along with dark chrome trim, added to its premium look. The Activ and RS models featured unique styling elements, with the Activ model sporting a rugged front fascia, roof rails, and 17-inch Hankook Sport Terrain tires, while the RS model had blacked-out trim, a mesh grille, and dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips. The contrasting roofs in red, black, or white, depending on the model and exterior color, added a distinctive and retro touch.

The Trailblazer's interior featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, and a power-adjustable driver's seat, with a mix of copper-toned and sparkly black plastic trim. The design touches, such as grab handles around the center console and the creased dashboard and air vents, gave the cabin a distinctive look. While the interior didn't scream "outdoor adventure," it offered a unique and appealing design.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, but it struggled to provide sufficient power for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The engine noise was noticeable under acceleration, and the transmission's early upshifts didn't help. The V8 engine, available only on higher trims with 4WD, delivered a healthier 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, providing a more satisfying driving experience.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was a standout feature, offering excellent ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension provided a range of ride height settings, from a lower Access height for easy entry and exit to higher off-road modes with up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance. The driving modes allowed the vehicle to adapt to various terrains, making it a versatile option for different driving conditions. The Grand Cherokee L's towing capacity ranged from 6,200 pounds for RWD models to 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX. It came with a standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 1.3-liter turbo-three engine with 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. The 1.2-liter engine was available only with front-wheel drive (FWD), while the 1.3-liter engine could be paired with either FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD). FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Trailblazer Activ test car, equipped with AWD and the 1.3-liter engine, provided a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. The nine-speed automatic transmission, while not the most refined, offered a generally smooth driving experience. The Activ model's dampers, tuned for better performance on gravel roads, also worked well on pavement, providing a composed and nimble ride. The Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some competitors' automatic systems. The vehicle also featured Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, although the differences between them were not always noticeable.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. The system included physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions, which were easy to use and provided a satisfying tactile experience. The central rotary shifter was intuitive, and the vehicle offered ample storage space, including a wireless phone charging bin and a large central cubby.

The Grand Cherokee L provided generous space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. The panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced the overall comfort for long journeys. However, the air vents were small and didn't direct enough airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which could be noisy.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs on the market, offered decent utility and passenger space. It matched the Kia Seltos in front and rear headroom and provided more rear legroom than the Hyundai Kona and Buick Encore GX. The rear seats were comfortable for normal use, but the flat cushions made long road trips less appealing. The Trailblazer's cargo space was respectable, with 25.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats in place and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, although it fell short of the Kia Seltos.

The Trailblazer's interior featured smart storage solutions, including a covered storage bin, a deep tray, cupholders, and a phone storage tray. A small carve-out above the dashboard was included, but its function was unclear, as items placed there could easily become projectiles during sudden stops.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of high-end features, especially in the upper trims. These included multiple massage modes for the 16-way power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view of the next corner, which was particularly useful on dark, twisty roads. The Uconnect system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and two phones could be connected simultaneously. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers.

Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition were available on higher trims. The Summit Reserve trim came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, while lower trims had nine-speaker or six-speaker systems.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included an 8-inch touchscreen, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen, navigation, a Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate for most buyers, the optional touchscreen was relatively small, and a fully digital instrument cluster was not available.

The 8-inch touchscreen was well-sized for the Trailblazer's dashboard, with large, easy-to-read graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information without the need for an all-digital setup. Smart design touches, such as a person-shaped icon for the pedestrian-detection system and an indicator for the engine start/stop system, enhanced usability.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert for possible unattended passengers, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer received a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.